Marvel at the elaborate figures that adorn the Teatro dei Pupi. This isn’t just a theater. It’s a portal into Sicily’s soul.
The Teatro dei Pupi. What is it? It is more than just a puppet show. The Teatro dei Pupi is a tradition inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is dating back to the 19th century. It is a unique expression of Sicilian history and cultural identity.
Imagine pupari animating handcrafted marionettes. They are bringing to life Frankish romantic poems. These stories are derived from medieval epic-chivalric literature. The most famous stories are from the Carolingian cycle.
The Teatro dei Pupi’s roots are deep. Gaetano Greco and Liberato Canino are considered the initiators of the Opera dei Pupi in Palermo. From the 16th century, chivalry shows were staged with puppets throughout Europe. The 19th century saw the chivalrous repertoire’s resounding success in Sicily.
These aren’t your average puppets. The pupi are equipped with wooden frames and real armor. The armor is richly decorated. The puppets move differently depending on their school. The schools are Palermo and Catania. The puppets vary in mechanical and figurative aspects.
The puppets have a wooden torso and legs that allow for pendular movement. Threads and metal rods control them. The main rod connects the head to the torso. This allows the marionette to be suspended. It also allows the marionette to be moved.
Armed characters wear armor. Page characters do not. The armor and costumes follow a complex code. They adhere to 19th-century romantic fashion. Christian warriors have kind faces. Saracens have more marked features. Costumes display family emblems.
The puppeteer is the heart of the Teatro dei Pupi. He manages the theater. He directs the show. He animates the puppets. The puppeteer paints scenes and posters. He sometimes even builds the puppets.
Advertising posters were once displayed outside the theaters. Today, they decorate the walls. Bright colors depict episodes of the Carolingian cycle. They inform the public of the narrative’s progress.
The Opera dei Pupi has faced crises. Cinema in the 1930s and consumerism in the 50s and 60s threatened it. But the tradition persists. Today, various companies attract new audiences.
Palermo’s puppets are smaller. They weigh between 5 and 10 kilos. The legs have articulated knees. They can draw their swords. The puppeteers operate on the sides of the stage. The master puppeteer directs the show and improvises dialogues.
The show was accompanied by music. Violins were replaced by the barrel organ. The cartelli are divided into squares. Each square corresponds to an episode. A sheet indicates the current episode.
The UNESCO recognition in 2001 helped relaunch the Opera dei Pupi. It was registered in the Representative List in 2008.
The tradition is transmitted orally. It passes from teacher to apprentice. It includes stories, performative codes and construction techniques.
Antonio Pasqualino’s International Museum of Marionettes preserves this heritage. It is one of the most representative museums.
The Opera dei Pupi continues to inspire. Girolamo Botta founded an art company in Sulmona. His puppets are smaller. They tell the deeds of Osco-Umbrian warriors.
As you leave Teatro dei Pupi. Remember that you have witnessed more than just a show. You have experienced a living tradition. It is a tradition that embodies Sicily’s history, art and soul.